This Fairtrade Fortnight, events across Oxford are exploring the impact of Fairtrade – as well as the wider global networks that come together in this city considering issues of the empowerment and representation of voices from the global South.
Fairtrade Fortnight is almost here.
The Fairtrade Mark can now be found on over 1300 different products, including a wide range foods, clothing and sports products. Fairtrade challenges our everyday economics – and calls for the processes that link us everday to producers across the world to be made more equitable.
Buying products with the Fairtrade Mark on makes a real identifiable difference to communities in the South – making sure producers get a fair price for their work and a social premium for development projects, where choosing goods bought through conventional markets would leaves producers in crushing poverty.
But does Fairtrade go far enough? Has it become a 'safe' option, letting us feel good about ourselves, whilst not really challenging the problems of global inequality? This Fairtrade Fortnight, events across Oxford are exploring the impact of Fairtrade – as well as the wider global networks that come together in this city considering issues of the empowerment and representation of voices from the global South.
Checkout the calendar below to find out more about the events taking place… (I particularly recommend all those on Wednesday) and do make it along to some if you can…
If you'd like more information about getting involved in campaigning for Oxford to become a Fairtrade University – then do come along to the Oxford Students Fairtrade Coalition party on Wednesday – or e-mail
students@oxfordfairtrade.org.uk.
>>>>>Events Coming Up This Fairtrade Fortnight<<<<<
Visit www.oxfordfairtrade.org.uk for a full calendar, or download a copy of the poster/flyer (include details of special offers, prize draws and discounts) from
http://users.ox.ac.uk/~orie1347/FFPoster06.pdf (please print and stick up posters if you can…)
*** Sunday 5th ***
+Misa Campesina Nicaraguense
11:15am – Blackfriars (64 St. Giles)
A special 20th anniversary Mass to celebrate the link between the cities of Oxford and Leon Nicaragua. Passionate words, lively tunes and complex rhythms reflect the richness of the Nicaraguan folk tradition. Conducted by Gill Petrokofsky. Including an exhibition of Fairly Traded goods from Nicaragua in the Aula. Join Oxford Leon Link for aperitivo and Fairtrade wine.
*** Monday 6th ***
+A world of Women's Voices
4pm-5.30pm - McKeena Room, Christ Church College. Entrance: £3
Join us in a world of jubilant rhythms, motivational lyrics and inspiring life stories from Women from across the world who are writing their passions into song. Experience our audio/visual gallery and be seduced by these vital voices of femininity. Part of the Women's International Festival. Free Fairtrade tea and chocolate cake will be provided
***Tuesday 7th ***
+Tapestry of Latin American Voices
A selection of Contemporary Women writers
5-6pm - Starbucks Coffee Shop in Borders Bookstore, 9 Magdelen St
The Oxford Latin American Society (OULAS) presents a selection of contemporary poetry and novels written by women from across the region. Free Fairtrade coffee will complement this very special and informal evening.
*** Wednesday 8th ***
+Globalising Justice in Coffee Supply Chains
6:30pm - Starbucks Coffee shop in Borders Bookstore, 9 Magdalen Street
A talk exploring principals of fairness and justice within the Coffee Trade – focussing on the Fairtrade system and Starbucks' Café Practices' programme. Find out how far these initiatives have the potential to empower small producers, women and workers and to advance broader objectives of rural development and poverty reduction.
+Acoustic Night hosted by Oxford Students Fairtrade Coalition
8 – 11pm – Vaults and Gardens, Radcliffe Square
Music from three fantastic acoustic bands. Fairtrade punch and organic Ales on sale. Free Fairtrade samples. Tickets £2 in advance from Nicolas Edwards Oriel College (cheques payable to Oxford Students Fairtrade Coalition), or on the door.
+We've yet to Make Poverty History - so where next?
7:30pm - Council Chamber, Oxford Town Hall
The Make Poverty History campaign prompted an unprecedented public response, with hundreds of thousands taking action. Hear Kofi Mawuli-Klu from African Liberation Support Campaign Network, writer and environmentalist Paul Kingsnorth, and Marlene Barrett from World Development Movement discuss where campaigning should go next…
*** Thursday 9th ***
+Exploring Starbucks Commitment to Coffee Purchasing
6:30pm - Starbucks Coffee shop in Borders Bookstore, 9 Magdalen Street
Explore the diversity of coffee through a range of exciting tastings. Learn how the Fairtrade coffee you can ask for at Starbucks support family economies in Ethiopia.
*** Saturday 11th ***
+Get Creative With Cotton
10-1pm , Cornmarket, outside Fair Trade @ St Michaels.
The Oxford Oxfam Group invite you to get creative (and not too messy!) helping to paint our Fair Trade Cotton banner. Information about Fair Trade, especially Fair Trade cotton, will also be available
+ Jericho Breakfast
10-1pm - Jericho Community Centre, 33A Canal Street
Join us for breakfast and lunch and receive a free samples of Fairtrade tea and coffee
*** Tuesday 14th ***
+Fairtrade Grower Talk
12pm-1pm Oxford Brookes Main Lecture Theatre, Gipsy Land Campus
Come and hear a producer of Fairtrade products talk about the real difference that Fairtrade makes to communities across the world. Organised by Oxford Brookes Fairtrade Group with Peros and Café Direct.
*** Sat 18th ***
+Fairtrade Coffee Morning for Peru Support Group
10am – 12pm – Deakin Room, St Antony's College - www.perusupportgroup.org.uk
+ Jericho Breakfast
10-1pm - Jericho Community Centre, 33A Canal Street
See www.oxfordfairtrade.org.uk for last minute events and offers - or for more information about Fairtrade in Oxford.
The Fairtrade Mark can now be found on over 1300 different products, including a wide range foods, clothing and sports products. Fairtrade challenges our everyday economics – and calls for the processes that link us everday to producers across the world to be made more equitable.
Buying products with the Fairtrade Mark on makes a real identifiable difference to communities in the South – making sure producers get a fair price for their work and a social premium for development projects, where choosing goods bought through conventional markets would leaves producers in crushing poverty.
But does Fairtrade go far enough? Has it become a 'safe' option, letting us feel good about ourselves, whilst not really challenging the problems of global inequality? This Fairtrade Fortnight, events across Oxford are exploring the impact of Fairtrade – as well as the wider global networks that come together in this city considering issues of the empowerment and representation of voices from the global South.
Checkout the calendar below to find out more about the events taking place… (I particularly recommend all those on Wednesday) and do make it along to some if you can…
If you'd like more information about getting involved in campaigning for Oxford to become a Fairtrade University – then do come along to the Oxford Students Fairtrade Coalition party on Wednesday – or e-mail
students@oxfordfairtrade.org.uk. >>>>>Events Coming Up This Fairtrade Fortnight<<<<<
Visit www.oxfordfairtrade.org.uk for a full calendar, or download a copy of the poster/flyer (include details of special offers, prize draws and discounts) from
http://users.ox.ac.uk/~orie1347/FFPoster06.pdf (please print and stick up posters if you can…) *** Sunday 5th ***
+Misa Campesina Nicaraguense
11:15am – Blackfriars (64 St. Giles)
A special 20th anniversary Mass to celebrate the link between the cities of Oxford and Leon Nicaragua. Passionate words, lively tunes and complex rhythms reflect the richness of the Nicaraguan folk tradition. Conducted by Gill Petrokofsky. Including an exhibition of Fairly Traded goods from Nicaragua in the Aula. Join Oxford Leon Link for aperitivo and Fairtrade wine.
*** Monday 6th ***
+A world of Women's Voices
4pm-5.30pm - McKeena Room, Christ Church College. Entrance: £3
Join us in a world of jubilant rhythms, motivational lyrics and inspiring life stories from Women from across the world who are writing their passions into song. Experience our audio/visual gallery and be seduced by these vital voices of femininity. Part of the Women's International Festival. Free Fairtrade tea and chocolate cake will be provided
***Tuesday 7th ***
+Tapestry of Latin American Voices
A selection of Contemporary Women writers
5-6pm - Starbucks Coffee Shop in Borders Bookstore, 9 Magdelen St
The Oxford Latin American Society (OULAS) presents a selection of contemporary poetry and novels written by women from across the region. Free Fairtrade coffee will complement this very special and informal evening.
*** Wednesday 8th ***
+Globalising Justice in Coffee Supply Chains
6:30pm - Starbucks Coffee shop in Borders Bookstore, 9 Magdalen Street
A talk exploring principals of fairness and justice within the Coffee Trade – focussing on the Fairtrade system and Starbucks' Café Practices' programme. Find out how far these initiatives have the potential to empower small producers, women and workers and to advance broader objectives of rural development and poverty reduction.
+Acoustic Night hosted by Oxford Students Fairtrade Coalition
8 – 11pm – Vaults and Gardens, Radcliffe Square
Music from three fantastic acoustic bands. Fairtrade punch and organic Ales on sale. Free Fairtrade samples. Tickets £2 in advance from Nicolas Edwards Oriel College (cheques payable to Oxford Students Fairtrade Coalition), or on the door.
+We've yet to Make Poverty History - so where next?
7:30pm - Council Chamber, Oxford Town Hall
The Make Poverty History campaign prompted an unprecedented public response, with hundreds of thousands taking action. Hear Kofi Mawuli-Klu from African Liberation Support Campaign Network, writer and environmentalist Paul Kingsnorth, and Marlene Barrett from World Development Movement discuss where campaigning should go next…
*** Thursday 9th ***
+Exploring Starbucks Commitment to Coffee Purchasing
6:30pm - Starbucks Coffee shop in Borders Bookstore, 9 Magdalen Street
Explore the diversity of coffee through a range of exciting tastings. Learn how the Fairtrade coffee you can ask for at Starbucks support family economies in Ethiopia.
*** Saturday 11th ***
+Get Creative With Cotton
10-1pm , Cornmarket, outside Fair Trade @ St Michaels.
The Oxford Oxfam Group invite you to get creative (and not too messy!) helping to paint our Fair Trade Cotton banner. Information about Fair Trade, especially Fair Trade cotton, will also be available
+ Jericho Breakfast
10-1pm - Jericho Community Centre, 33A Canal Street
Join us for breakfast and lunch and receive a free samples of Fairtrade tea and coffee
*** Tuesday 14th ***
+Fairtrade Grower Talk
12pm-1pm Oxford Brookes Main Lecture Theatre, Gipsy Land Campus
Come and hear a producer of Fairtrade products talk about the real difference that Fairtrade makes to communities across the world. Organised by Oxford Brookes Fairtrade Group with Peros and Café Direct.
*** Sat 18th ***
+Fairtrade Coffee Morning for Peru Support Group
10am – 12pm – Deakin Room, St Antony's College - www.perusupportgroup.org.uk
+ Jericho Breakfast
10-1pm - Jericho Community Centre, 33A Canal Street
See www.oxfordfairtrade.org.uk for last minute events and offers - or for more information about Fairtrade in Oxford.
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Comments
Hide the following 3 comments
On Starbucks
06.03.2006 16:37
Some worries and facts that some people might want to bring up at this event:
* Starbucks, bought twice as much fair trade coffee in 2005 as it did the previous year, up from 2.17m kg (4.8m lb) to 5.21m kg (11.5m lb), and beating its own target of 4.53m kg (10m lb).
However, according to figures released in the Seattle-based company's fifth corporate social responsibility report, Starbucks also purchased another 34.84m kg (76.8m lb) of coffee through its "coffee and farmer equity" scheme, which it 'claims' contributes to the economic and social wellbeing of farmers and communities, as well as encouraging environmental conservation in seven countries (e.g. not FLO controlled and Fairtrade certified; therefore open to scrutiny). Paraphrased from a Guardian article, 9th Feb 06
* According to The Times (4th March 06) Starbucks buys about 10 per cent of Fairtrade coffee sold worldwide good news for the environment and human rights? However, their commitment to their own workers' rights has come into question with the low pay and bad treatment of their coffee barristas (see
* Of course, for some insurrectionary fun visit here:
* There's other information that's totally scroogle/google-able about Starbucks, their takeover of towns and also about allegations of GM materials in products.
As a personal observation, after trawling through Starbucks website, it's worrying to see how they put a "TM" after Commitment to Origins (their spin on Fairtrade). See
The proliferation of the Starbucks chain on the high street, in bookshops and in other public areas should not be forgotten. With their growth they push and price out smaller and more independent cafes, putting many out of business. Existing purely for profit, Starbucks commitment to ethical purchasing can be viewed in an extremely cynical way.
As promised:
Starbucks Musical Chairs
Everyone heads into a Starbucks and occupies a chair. Once a pre-chosen contestant enters the store the game starts. Every record change on the instore stereo you must swap chairs. Different chairs are worth different points fill in your chart as you swap seats. The first person to get 100 point wins. They must stand up and shout "I've been Starbucked" at which point everyone has 10 seconds to evacuate the store.
Daisy Bomb
Starbucks
07.03.2006 12:20
Please do bring along points for discussion and challenge...
As more and more 'mainstream corporations' move into selling products with the Fairtrade Mark, or setting up their own alternative schemes for certifying apparant 'ethical trading' - there is a real need to engage in discussions to find out whether this means a good or bad impact for producers in the short term - and for general movements for increasing equality and reducing poverty in the long term....
Tim D
Link to Oxford Leon Link website
11.02.2009 00:30
Kev N